Posts Tagged appreciation for life

I’ve only just a minute,
Only sixty seconds in it.Forced upon me, can’t refuse it,
Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it,But it’s up to me to use it.
I must suffer it I lose it,Give an account if I abuse it,Just a tiny little minute, But eternity is in it. ~Dr. Benjamin Mays

Like this:

“Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;bringing conviction to my heart, and from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be, If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.” ~ C.T. Studd

Like this:

“. . . You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14

Two Thousand Fifteen is not only the New Year, but probably the number of times I resolved to do ALL that I have been CALLED to do. Scripture says, “He who knows my will and does not do it will be beaten with many stripes.” I am a witness that obedience is better than sacrifice.

If there is one thing I have learned in the past year, it is thevalue of TIME and the cost of wasting it. I now understand the importance of maximizing every moment and that every breath is sacred. Beloveds, life is precious—it is a gift from God and it deserves URGENT care. We are here for a season and reason—not just to take up space. The loss of one of my seed, abruptly reminded me of my purpose and helped me to understand “to whom much is given—much is required.” .

For many reasons, 2015 is the year of my resolve to DO and to BE the absolute best I can for God’s Kingdom purposes. I resolve this day, that there will be no more “False Starts” or “Incompletes,”I vow to finish EVERY course in GOD’s Plan for my life.

I thank you Father for one more chance to get it right. Thank you for one more“New Beginning.”
I THANK YOU GOD, FOR MY LIFE!!

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”During my latest bout of insomnia, I came upon this story (author unknown); I would like to share with you. (It is also an addendum to an earlier post enough).
“Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport as the daughter’s departure had been announced.
Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, “I love you and I wish you enough.”
The daughter replied, “Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom.”
They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I sat. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry.
I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be a forever good-bye?”
“Yes, I have,” I replied. “Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever good-bye?”
“I am old and she lives far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is the next trip back will be for my funeral,” she said.
When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, “I wish you enough.” May I ask what that means?”
She began to smile, “That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.” She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more.
“When we said, ‘I wish you enough’ we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.”
Then turning toward me, she shared the following, reciting it from memory.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you have.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.She then began to cry and walked away.”

This story in its simplicity helped me appreciate life’s basic gifts, and the generosity of God’s amazing Grace. Strangely, it comforted me in this, my worst season of distress, as I realized that “enough” is all I ever desired for those I love. I say to all who read this post — Take time to LIVE, LAUGH and LOVE, for there are deep lessons in every precious moment and tomorrow is not promised to anyone. No matter what you are going through it’s a blessing just to be alive and toTRULY KNOW BEYOND THE SHADOW OF A DOUBT THAT GOD’S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT – YES, GOD’S GRACE IS ENOUGH — FOR ALL THINGS!!!